GB2530592A

GB2530592A - Vehicle with an alert system and method for operating a vehicle with an alert system

Info

Publication number: GB2530592A
Application number: GB1422681.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ramesh Mudunuri; Amandeep Singh
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2014-12-18
Filing date: 2014-12-18
Publication date: 2016-03-30

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle 10 with an alert system 12, preferably a motion sickness alert system, that comprises an alert switch 14, which is positioned inside the vehicle in a position to be accessible by passengers on passenger seats of the vehicle, wherein the alert system is configured to detect when the alert switch is actuated by a passenger. Furthermore, upon the detection the alert system is configured to inform a driver about the actuation of the alert switch by outputting a first optical and/or acoustical and/or haptic signal 18. If, after the alert switch has been activated, the speed or acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predefined value a second optical, acoustical and/or haptic signal may be made. By actuating the alert switch the air conditioning of the vehicle may be configured to bring outside air into the vehicle, and a third signal may be produced every two to three hours to remind the driver to take a break.

Description

Vehicle with an alert system and method for operating a vehicle with an alert system The invention relates to a vehicle with an alert system according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a method for operating a vehicle with an alert system according to the preamble of patent claim 6.

Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting messages from the inner ears.

eyes, and other parts of the body in response to motion, most often during some kind of travel. Effects may vary from mild nausea to severe distress and incapacitation. Motion sickness can be avoided or at least the symptoms of motion sickness can be reduced, for example, if you sit in the front of the car and try to focus outside. The best thing would be driving oneself, because drivers rarely get car sickness as they are always focused on the road. Sitting in the passenger's seat up front is the next best thing. The reason for this is that car sickness results from the sensory conflict arising in the brain from differing sensory inputs. The eyes mostly see the interior of the car which is motionless while the vestibular system of the inner ear senses motion as the vehicle goes around corners or over hills and even small bumps. Therefore the effect is worse when looking down but may be lessened by looking outside of the vehicle. Also driving at a steady pace can help alleviate car sickness, for example cruise control can be used and/or jerky starts and stops should be avoided by the driver.

From US 2005/0159865 Al there is known a method for preventing motion sickness in a vehicle by detecting a motion parameter relevant to motion sickness such as three-dimensional acceleration of the vehicle and informing a user of the vehicle on sickening motion of the vehicle and/or correcting steering actions of the vehicle.

By this advantageously the driver can be informed that his driver operation characteristics are detrimental for motion sickness. But a disadvantage of this method is that the driver is informed under any circumstances, even if there are no passengers in the vehicle or there are no passengers that are sensitive to motion sickness, which leads to an unnecessary distraction and annoyance of the driver.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle with an alert system and a method for operating a vehicle with an alert system that can support avoiding any adverse medical and/or physiological effects on passengers such as motion sickness as efficiently as possible.

This object is solved by the vehicle having the features of patent claim 1 and by a method for operating a vehicle having the features of patent claim 6. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are indicated in the dependent patent claims.

The vehicle according to the invention comprises a alert system with an alert switch, which is positioned inside the vehicle in a position to be accessible by passengers on passenger seats of the vehicle. Furthermore, the alert system is configured to detect when the alert switch is actuated by a passenger, and upon the detection to inform a driver about the actuation of the alert switch by outputting a first optical and/or acoustical and/or haptic signal. Thereby the alert switch can be actuated, especially pressed, by a passenger if he feels symptoms of motion sickness or the like or even if he knows that he is sensitive to motion sickness or the like before symptoms of motion sickness or the like occur. As a consequence the driver is only informed about passengers sensitive to motion sickness or the like or reminded to drive moderately in cases when driving at a steady pace is actually required. Therefore, an unnecessary distraction or annoyance of the driver is avoided.

Preferably, the alert system is a motion sickness alert system.

Preferably the alert switch is positioned between the backrests of the front seats of the vehicle, so that it can be easily accessed by the passenger on the front seat as well as by passengers on the back seats.

Alternatively, the position of the alert switch is a position at a roof of the vehicle, at a center console of the vehicle, at a front panel of the vehicle or at a door trim of the vehicle.

Also additional alert switches could be provided, for example with each passenger seat so that the accessibility of the alert switch is further enhanced. Moreover, the first optical and/or acoustical and/or haptic signal can be provided as an indicator in the instrument cluster, this indicator starting to glow either permanently or for a predetermined time as soon as the alert switch is pressed. The signal can also be provided as a beep sound or other acoustical signal as well as, for example, a vibration of the steering wheel of the vehicle or also as combinations thereof.

Preferably, under the condition, that the actuation of the alert switch was detected by the alert system, the alert system is configured to output a second optical and/or acoustical and/or haptic signal if a speed of the vehicle increases more than a predefined speed value and/or if an acceleration of the vehicle is greater than a predefined acceleration value. So, once the alert switch is actuated or pressed, beside the first signal that informs a driver about passengers sensitive to motion sickness or the like are on board additional signals can be provided to indicate that a way of driving, e.g. too fast, is detrimental for motion sickness or the like. Preferably the second signal is provided as a beep sound and differs from the first signal so that a driver can easily distinguish between the different information provided thereby.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention the alert system is configured to operate an air conditioning of the vehicle so that outside air is brought into the vehicle by the air conditioning, under the condition that the actuation of the motion sickness alert switch was detected by the alert system. This is based on the finding that many people find that smelling fresh, cool air helps make them feel better in case of motion sickness or the like and especially certain smells, like car air fresheners, perfumes, smoke or food can make them feel worse. By operating an air conditioning in case the alert switch was pressed outside air can be brought into the vehicle and the probability for motion sickness or the like taking place can be reduced or at least the symptoms alleviated.

Furthermore, it is advantageous when, under the condition, the actuation of the alert switch was detected by the alert system, the alert system is configured to repeatedly, especially every two to three hours, output a third optical and/or acoustical and/or haptic signal reminding the driver to take a break. Taking regular breaks is another possibility to avoid motion sickness or the like or at least alleviate the symptoms. Taking regularly scheduled breaks can make a trip much more enjoyable for persons sensitive to motion sickness or the like. A good rule of thumb is to allow for at least a 20 minute break for every two to three hours of car travel. Thereby the alert system reminding the driver to take a break every two to three hours is very advantageous. This third signal is preferably also provided as a beep sound but can be provided as any other optical, acoustical or haptic signal as well.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the alert switch, comprises different preset modes related to different travel conditions, for example hilly or highway. This has the advantage that so also different travel conditions and their impact on motion sickness or the like can be taken into account. Moreover, the output of the second or third signal, the conditions for outputting these signals or how often these signals are outputted can be adapted to the travel conditions set by the preset modes.

The method for operating a vehicle with an alert system according to the invention, comprises that if it is detected that an alert switch, which is positioned inside the vehicle in a position to be accessible by passengers on passenger seats of the vehicle, is actuated by a passenger, the alert system outputs a first optical and/or acoustical and/or haptic signal to inform a driver about the operation of the alert switch.

The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the vehicle according to the invention also apply to the method for operating a vehicle according to the invention and vice versa.

Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawing. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figure and/or shown in the figure alone can be employed not only in the respective indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

The only Fig. shows a schematic view of a vehicle 10 with a motion sickness alert system 12 according to an embodiment of the invention.

There is no permanent solution to motion sickness so that precaution and prevention are the only way to deal with this problem. The basic idea of this invention is to keep the driver of the car informed. Sometimes it happens that the driver will drive the car slow for some time and after that he will again start driving it at its regular pace unknowingly and will not slow down even in hilly roads. To avoid situations which enhance motion sickness a motion sickness alert system 12 is provided comprising a motion sickness alert switch 14, which is positioned in a central position 16 inside the vehicle 10 so that it can be easily accessed by passengers on passenger seats of the vehicle. An actuation of the switch by passengers is detected by the motion sickness alert system and upon this detection the driver is informed about the actuation of the motion sickness alert switch 14 by the output of a first signal 18, especially by an indicator that will glow informing the driver that the motion sickness alert switch 14 is switched on. Furthermore the motion sickness alert system 12 is configured to output a second signal, especially a beep sound, if the speed of the vehicle 10 increases more than a predefined speed value and if it varies in a rapid pace. For example, a beep will sound if the speed increases more than 30 km/h or if it varies in a rapid pace, which shall be illustrated by the schematic view of the tachometer 20. Furthermore, once the switch 14 is pressed, the alert system 12 forces the air conditioning 22 to switch to outside air mode to bring fresh air inside. The air conditioning 22 will switch off and will remain off until the motion sickness alert switch 14 is on.

Additionally, the system 12 outputs a peep after every two to three hours to remind the driver to take a break. Also preset modes can be provided in the switch 14 to tackle different travel conditions, for example hilly or highway.

It should be kept in mind that at least 5 to 10 % of the population are sensitive to motion sickness and long journeys are really a headache for them. Even though it is not a permanent relief to this persons but this alert system controls the environmental variables responsible for motion sickness as far as possible. This is done by providing an alert system with an alert switch so that once the switch is pressed an indicator will glow informing the driver that the motion sickness alert switch is switched on. A beep sounds and air conditioning switches to outside air to bring fresh air inside the vehicle if speed increases more than predefined speed and if the speed varies in a rapid pace.

Furthermore, the system beeps after ever two to three hours to remind the driver to take a break and also preset modes can be provided in the switch to tackle different travel conditions such as hilly or highway. All these features allow for a more pleasant journey for the user.

List of reference signs Vehicle 12 Motion sickness alert system 14 Motion sickness alert switch 16 Central position 18 First signal Tachometer 22 Air conditioning

Claims

Claims Vehicle (10) with an alert system (12), characterized in that the alert system (12) comprises an alert switch (14), which is positioned inside the vehicle (10) in a position (16) to be accessible by passengers on passenger seats of the vehicle (10), wherein the alert system (12) is configured to detect when the alert switch (14) is actuated by a passenger, and upon the detection to inform a driver about the actuation of the alert switch (14) by outputting a first optical and/or acoustical and/or haptic signal (18).
2. Vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the alert system is a motion sickness alert system (12).
3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the position is a position at a roof of the vehicle, at a center console of the vehicle, at a front panel of the vehicle or at a door trim of the vehicle.
4. Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that under the condition, that the actuation of the alert switch (14) was detected by the alert system (12), the alert system (12) is configured to output a second optical and/or acoustical and/or haptic signal if a speed of the vehicle (10) increases more than a predefined speed value and/or if an acceleration of the vehicle (10) is greater than a predefined acceleration value.
5. Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that under the condition, that the actuation of the alert switch (14) was detected by the alert system (12), the alert system (12) is configured to operate an air conditioning (22) of the vehicle (10) so that outside air is brought into the vehicle (10) by the air conditioning (22).
6. Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that under the condition, that the actuation of the alert switch (14) was detected by the alert system (12), the alert system (12) is configured to repeatedly, especially every two to three hours, output a third optical and/or acoustical and/or haptic signal reminding the driver to take a break.
7. Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alert switch (14) comprises different preset modes related to different travel conditions.
8. Method for operating a vehicle (10) with an alert system (12), characterized in that if it is detected, that a alert switch (14), which is positioned inside the vehicle (10) in a position (16) to be accessible by passengers on passenger seats of the vehicle (10), is actuated by a passenger, the alert system (12) outputs a first optical and/or acoustical and/or haptic signal (18) to inform a driver about the operation of the alert switch (14).